Boonton, NJ - USATF New Jersey
is pleased to announce the Ocean Drive Marathon and 10 Miler and Gilda’s Run 15K
as additions to its Grand Prix long distance running series. These Category 3
(15 kilometers and longer) races provide additional choices for the USATF NJ
member working to complete the Grand Prix. The Ocean Drive races will take
place on Sunday March 26, 2006 and Gilda’s Run will be on Sunday, May 21, 2006.

The 8th annual Ocean
Drive marathon and 10-miler are run on beautiful point-to-point courses through
the scenic barrier islands of Cape May County. The courses are flat and run on
paved roadway and boardwalk surfaces, starting in Cape May City. The 26.2 mile
marathon finishes on the Promenade in Sea Isle City, while the 10-miler ends on
the boardwalk in North Wildwood. Both courses are USATF-certified. The races
benefit numerous charities including the Shield the Blue campaign of the Cape
May County Policemen’s Wives Association, the Volunteers in Medicine of Cape May
County, the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey, the Marine Mammal
Stranding Center and the technology departments of all high schools in Cape May
County. Learn more about the race, the course and how to apply at
http://www.odmarathon.org/.

Gilda’s Run is a new race that
will be run in Saddle River County Park in Paramus, NJ. The course is flat,
paved and will be USATF-certified. The race benefits Gilda’s Club Northern New
Jersey, named for the late Gilda Radner, and an organization that provides
support to cancer victims.

USATF New Jersey’s Grand Prix
is the largest of its kind, with more than 150 races and has become the model
for similar races series around the country. Sponsored by New Balance in
Hasbrouck Heights, NJ, the Grand Prix is divided into 3 categories - races 4
miles or under, those longer than 4 miles but shorter than 15 K and races 15K
and longer. The Ocean Drive and Gilda’s races are welcome additions to the
series and provide the option of a marathon, the only one in the series and one
that has been missing for the past several years. With the addition of these
events, Category 3 races that have either confirmed or are expected to confirm
their Grand Prix status are:

USATF
New Jersey is a non-profit organization responsible for the governance of the
sport of track & field in the state of New Jersey. USATF NJ administers
programs in track & field, road racing, cross country and race walking for both
youth and adults. For more information, please see our website at
www.usatfnj.org.